Dogs or cats? Statistics show more homes have dogs as pets

There are many debates globally: Coke or Pepsi, Windows or Mac, and dogs or cats. A significant number of people have a strong opinion about which side they are on, but we are not here to debate that.

Today, we will look at some statistics about dogs and cats to help you decide which pet is right for you.

According to statistics, there are about 79.74 million dogs and 86.11 million cats in the United States. When looking at how many pets people have, dogs are more popular than cats; 36.59% of households own a dog, while only 30.39% own cats. 

A recent study showed about 600 million dogs globally and around 700 million cats. However, this study is outdated, and the number of pets globally has likely increased since then.

So, what does all this mean? If you are searching for a pet, you are more likely to choose a dog than a cat. However, it is up to you to find the right pet for you and your family.

13 reasons why dogs stand out over cats

Studies show that, globally, dogs outnumber cats. What makes them better than cats?

1. Dogs are hilarious in many ways. Dogs will make you laugh every day, from the silly things to how they look at you.
2. Your dog will always happy to see you. No matter how bad your day is, dogs are always excited to see you and make you feel better.
3. Dogs are loyal companions. They will never leave your side, no matter what.
4. Dogs are great protectors. They will bark at strangers and make you feel safe.
5. Having a dog is good for your health. Walking a dog regularly is a great way to get some exercise.
6. Dogs teach responsibility. Taking care of a dog is a great way to teach children responsibility.
7. Dogs provide companionship. If you live alone, a dog can provide much-needed companionship.
   
8. Your dog will always be up for a game. Dogs love to play, whether you’re playing fetch, hide and seek or tug of war, dogs make sure you have fun.
9. Cats are lazy. They sleep most of the daytime and don’t like to play games.
10. Cats are independent. They don’t need you as much as dogs do, and they’re often aloof.
11. Felines are picky eaters. They can be picky about their food, and they may not eat what you give them.
12. Cats scratch furniture. They love to scratch furniture, and they often don’t use a scratching post.
13. Allergies. Some people are allergic to cats, but not dogs.

To put it simply, dogs make better pets than cats. They’re loyal and loving, and they always make sure you have a good time. So, if you’re looking for a new pet, consider getting a dog. Your life will be better for it.

On the other hand, cats are good pets in their ways. Let us try to compare cats with dogs.

Cats or dogs? Compare the pets 

It’s a debate as old as time and history itself: which is better, dogs or cats? Let’s observe some of the key differences between these two popular pets to help you decide.

1. Size. One of the main distinctions between dogs and cats is size. Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny Chihuahuas to giant Great Danes. Cats, on the other hand, are much smaller. 
2. Lifespan. Another difference between these two animals is lifespan. Dogs typically live for around 12 years, although some breeds can live for 20 years. Cats, however, have a lifespan of approximately 15 years. 
3. Exercise. Dogs need a lot of exercise. Pet owners should take them for a walk at least once a day. On the other hand, cats don’t need as much exercise and can often be content to lounge around the house all day.
   
4. Diet. Dogs are omnivores and will eat just about anything. On the other hand, Cats are carnivores and need a high protein diet.

Do you know this dog trivia?

Here are some facts you need to learn about dogs:

• Dogs have been domesticated for over 15,000 years.
• There are over 400 dog breeds globally.
• Labrador Retrievers are the most popular dog breed in the US is the Labrador Retriever.
• The average lifespan of dogs is 12 years, although some breeds can live for 20 years. The tiniest dog breed is the Chihuahua.
• Dogs have a sense of smell that is up to 100,000 times stronger than humans.
• Dogs can hear sounds that are too high-pitched for humans to hear.
• Irish Wolfhounds are the tallest dog breed.
• Dogs are omnivores and will eat just about anything.
• English Mastiffs are the heaviest dog breed.
• Dogs have been used in war, police work, search and rescue, hunting, and service animals for the disabled.

What young people know about dogs

Young people and students refer to several high school statistics when asked how many dogs and cats are in the US. According to high school statistics questions, about 77.78 million dogs and 84.67 million cats in the United States. In 2016, it was assumed and estimated that there were approximately 600 million dogs globally. The number of cats is higher, but a reliable estimate is not available.

Students prefer dogs as pets because they are easy to take care of even when they go to college, can be trained to perform tricks and tasks, provide companionship, and are always up for a game of fetch.

Cats are thought to be lazy, independent, finicky eaters that scratch furniture. However, some people prefer cats because they do not need as much exercise as dogs and have a longer lifespan.

Surprising discoveries about dogs

Did you know that some dogs can detect cancer? Dogs have a fantastic sense of smell. They can sniff out cancer. Cancer cells release different chemicals than healthy cells, and dogs can see these changes in scent. Dogs have been known to detect cancer in humans and other animals with up to 97% accuracy!

Dogs can also detect COVID-19. In a recent study, dogs could detect COVID-19 with an accuracy of over 80%. The dogs in the study could sniff out the disease before people started showing symptoms.

Dogs can also help you stay fit. A recent study found that people who own dogs are more likely to get the recommended amount of exercise than those who don’t.

What people say

One pet owner says, “I have had both dogs and cats, and I can say that dogs are better. Dogs are more loyal and loving than cats. They’re always happy to see you, no matter what.”

Another says, “I prefer cats because they’re independent. They don’t need you as much as dogs do, and they’re easier to care for.”

A third pet owner says, “I think it depends on the individual animal. I have had both dogs, cats, and others that were great pets. It just depends on the quality and personality of the animal.”

Do people adopt more dogs or cats?

People adopt cats more often than dogs. In 2018, around 37% of shelter animals were dogs, and 56% were cats. But 46% of animals adopted from shelters were cats, and only 39% were dogs.

This may be because there are more cat breeds to choose from and because cats are generally smaller than dogs and require less exercise.

Popular dog breeds

Here are the top 7 dogs that are adopted globally.

1. Labrador Retriever: The most popular dog breed in the United States of America. They are intelligent, good-natured, and make excellent pets. 
2. Chihuahua: The smallest dog breed. Chihuahuas are loyal and protective, and caring of their owners. 
3. Irish Wolfhound: The tallest dog breed. They are gentle and good with children. 
4. Poodle: The second most popular dog breed in the United States. They are intelligent, active, and come in a variety of sizes. 
5. Golden Retriever: A popular dog breed that is intelligent, friendly, and great with children. 
6. Bulldog: A muscular dog breed that is loyal and good-natured. 
7. Beagle: A popular dog breed that is curious, active, and loves to play.

There are many different dog breeds, each with its unique characteristics.

Decide what’s right for you: Dogs or cats?

It depends on what you like most, whether dogs or cats are best for you.

Dogs are assumed to be better than cats because they are more loyal, loving, and easy to train. These dogs can also help you stay fit and healthy. Cats are independent and don’t need as much attention as dogs.

As published at the outset of this article, while there are many debates globally, the one between dog lovers and cat lovers is perhaps the most heated. And it’s not hard to see why — both animals come with a whole host of benefits (and drawbacks) that make them appeal to different types of people.

Dogs may stand out over cats for you, but that doesn’t mean that cats cannot be good pets. It all comes down to what you’re looking for in a pet and what type of personality you prefer. Both dogs and cats make great companions — so the best pet for you is ultimately the one that fits best into your lifestyle.